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Steph Curry, defensively

As I am casually watching this Bulls/Warriors game on TNT, I am curious what people think of Steph Curry as a defensive player. I can't say I've watched him enough, but when I look at his body type I have a hard time believing he can be that much of a presence on the defensive end.

As great as Kevin Durant is offensively, I was watching that OKC/Miami game last week and I couldn't help but notice he stood around on the defensive end a LOT. LeBron defended him, but he didn't defend LeBron.

This is why I adore Paul George. He puts so much energy into the defensive end, and he often leads us offensively as well. Does this mean he is better than Durant? Of course not. Or does it?

I have digressed a bit so you can respond in a variety of ways, I guess....

*What do you think of Steph Curry's defense?
*Regardless of how you feel about Steph defensively, what are your thoughts about overall player value? If a player is unquestionably the best offensive player in the league, but also unquestionably a C- defensive player, can they still be considered a top 5 or top 10 player in the league?

The Following User Says Thank You to Randolph_HorseLips For This Useful Post:

Re: Steph Curry, defensively

Steve Nash was one of the best offensive players in the league and was a D- on defense and he won two MVPs.

As for Durant, I think he doesn't guard LeBron because he doesn't have to. If they had no one else I'm guessing he would, but why waste energy you don't have to. Didn't we have Lance on Durant to start the OKC game this year? Am I remembering that wrong?

Re: Steph Curry, defensively

As for Durant, I think he doesn't guard LeBron because he doesn't have to. If they had no one else I'm guessing he would,

Or does he not have to because he's not anything special defensively? Sefolosha (sp?) and probably Ibaka are better options, which make them valuable. If that renders Durant as a floater defensively, how much does that diminish his value? How much is 6' 10" athletism wasted defensively?

As for Nash winning the MVP, does that deepen the argument that perhaps there is too much emphasis on offense when it comes to determining value?

Re: Steph Curry, defensively

I will throw a third question into this mix, and let's assume for a moment that LeBron and Durant are the two best players in the league...

When you hear fans or "experts" talking about how Curry is a top 5 player in the league, or how Carmelo is a top 10 player in the league, don't you assume they are only noticing the offensive end of the court?

Re: Steph Curry, defensively

I will throw a third question into this mix, and let's assume for a moment that LeBron and Durant are the two best players in the league...

When you hear fans or "experts" talking about how Curry is a top 5 player in the league, or how Carmelo is a top 10 player in the league, don't you assume they are only noticing the offensive end of the court?

Of course most casual fans only notice the sexiness of the offensively gifted players... And the league has for the most part helped to promote them as well, while that is about all the likes of ESPN shows... I think in this day and age where the rules are as such to promote scoring, and to benefit the offensive player, being a great defender is a heck of an accomplishment... That's how a guy like James Harden is valued as high as he is where a guy like MKG or even Ian are undervalued...

Re: Steph Curry, defensively

Or does he not have to because he's not anything special defensively? Sefolosha (sp?) and probably Ibaka are better options, which make them valuable. If that renders Durant as a floater defensively, how much does that diminish his value? How much is 6' 10" athletism wasted defensively?

As for Nash winning the MVP, does that deepen the argument that perhaps there is too much emphasis on offense when it comes to determining value?

I agree, offense is over valued and defense is undervalued by MVP/award voters.

As for Durant, I don't see it as a waste, it's just an efficient use of your resources. Remember Pippen would often guard the teams best wing player, doesn't diminish how good Jordan was as a defender.

Re: Steph Curry, defensively

I will throw a third question into this mix, and let's assume for a moment that LeBron and Durant are the two best players in the league...

When you hear fans or "experts" talking about how Curry is a top 5 player in the league, or how Carmelo is a top 10 player in the league, don't you assume they are only noticing the offensive end of the court?

Curry is a great shooter and very good player, but anyone saying he is top 5 is nuts. He is a turnover machine, bad defender and a poor selector of shots, he has great passing instincts though. He's young and will get much better and more refined, probably only be an average defender at best, but that's fine.

Carmelo is what he is, he's a great scorer, good rebounder, he's not as bad a passer as some say IMO. He showed a complete game in college and with the Olympic team, but I'm glad he's not the best player on my team. He is probably a top 10 player though.

Re: Steph Curry, defensively

I think in this day and age where the rules are as such to promote scoring, and to benefit the offensive player, being a great defender is a heck of an accomplishment...

For a second there I thought you were talking about the NFL. I actually think the NBA promotes defense more than it used to, with the "go straight up" type of Hibbert defense and all.

In most sports, for whatever reason, I still think there is something to defense and "defense wins championships". Recent baseball history has shown that great pitching and bad hitting is better than the other way around. The NFL? Just let me mention the Seahawks. And in basketball you could make an argument that the NBA's Final Four last year were also the NBA's best 4 best defensive teams... Pacers, Heat, Spurs, Grizz.

I do suspect you have a point that casual fans and ESPN get too much of a hard on for offense.